"Pedro Pidal" Visitor Centre

Pedro Pidal Visitor Centre

The centre is named after Pedro Pidal, the driving force behind the 1916 National Parks Act and the main architect of the declaration of the Montaña de Covadonga National Park in 1918, Spain’s first national park and the precursor to the current Picos de Europa National Park.

Information

The Pedro Pidal Visitor Centre is situated in the vicinity of the Lakes of Covadonga. To reach it, head to the Buferrera car park, located next to Lake Enol, and take the footpath that begins at the end of the upper platform.

As well as learning about the history and natural heritage of the National Park, visitors can collect the ‘Picos Passport’ from this centre – an initiative that encourages visitors to explore the three regions of the National Park (Asturias, Cantabria and Castile and León) by collecting stamps at various visitor centres and along the trails. Those who complete the routes can receive various awards and gifts, including the ‘Premium Hiker’ badge and the ‘Accredited Ambassador of the Picos de Europa National Park’ certificate .

At reception, there is an area dedicated to the life and career of Pedro Pidal, Marquis of Villaviciosa, a multifaceted figure, adventurer and expert on these mountains, considered a pioneer of his time. The centre is organised into seven exhibition areas: Reception, Pedro Pidal, The Picos de Europa, Man in the Picos de Europa, Audiovisual Room, The National Parks Network and Bookshop-Shop.

The Picos de Europa

This section uses an attractive scenographic display to recreate the park’s main ecosystems. A stream guides visitors along a route that passes through caves, high-mountain areas, mixed forests, beech woods and oak woods. The reproduction of the landscape includes the limestone terrain, water sculpting the rocks, trees, more than fifty species of wildlife and numerous sound and visual effects that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the natural environment of the Picos de Europa.

People in the Picos de Europa

Through information panels and interpretative displays, the exhibition highlights the close relationship between humans and these mountains, explaining how the local people have adapted their way of life to this challenging environment. The exhibition covers topics such as mountain livestock farming, mountain huts, livestock, traditional farming tools and cheese-making.

Audiovisuals

The centre alternately screens two audiovisual presentations, each lasting around 15 minutes: a slideshow with 3D images and a video that offer an engaging insight into the National Park and its history.

The National Parks Network

Through interactive panels, visitors can learn about all of Spain’s national parks and discover the areas that form part of this network.

Outside the centre, visitors can explore an arboretum featuring native species and the Buferrera Mining Museum, which offers an insight into the mining history of the Lakes of Covadonga.